Putting your own health first over everything else is so important. You may think it feels selfish or rude, but it is essential, especially when living with chronic illness.
Chronic illness can make the simplest activities difficult or impossible. You smile and carry on even when you feel like you might break your body/mind.
You rush around trying to keep up with others, to help and support them, leaving yourself until last.
Then the flare ups start. It turns out that you can no longer put others above your own needs. And yet, you ignore the realisation and carry on pushing yourself, knowing full well you will suffer because of it.
But is it actually more selfish to put others first? You are risking your own health and having to spend any spare moments resting just to get back to helping everyone around you.
Is it really worth the pain?
Sometimes, yes. If you really want to do something that you know will hurt, then do it. Some things are worth the pain. But not everything is.
If you put your own health first and focus on being as well as you can be, you will then be able to help others more, knowing everything is on your terms.
You shouldn’t be afraid to say no to someone or something if you think it will make you worse. It is your life. You are allowed to be selfish.
You are not like the others. They may not understand that you live with constant pain and fatigue, but you know. You understand your own body and mind better than anyone else.
If you need to take a day of rest, take it. What is the worst that can happen?
If you don’t think you can do that heavy lifting today, say no, but you can do it another day or ask for help.
Asking for help is very difficult, but remember, none of this is your fault. You did not cause your ill health, you did not wish it upon yourself. It is a part of you no matter how much you wish it wasn’t.
If you don’t listen to your body, how much longer can you go on ignoring it until it no longer copes. Until you end up on the floor unable to help yourself at all. It is a dark thought, but it is the reality if you keep pushing and pushing and don’t allow yourself the rest and self care you need.
It takes a long time, but you will get there. You will learn there is more to life than just helping others, and that by caring for yourself first, you can find a whole new meaning to your life. You can help others in different ways than running around after them. There is a way to do everything you want to do if you focus on yourself and your goals. By looking after yourself you can achieve so much more.
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